Every year, hundreds of millions of people travel around the world for vacation, business or any number of other reasons, however many of them book their hotel room without much thought, not realizing that with a little forethought, they could make their hotel going experience easier, and less expensive.

Plan Ahead

The old adage ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’ is especially true when it comes to planning a trip. Decide what you really want so you’re not paying for things you don’t need; after all, that spa treatment might sound nice but if your business expense account won’t cover it, what’s the point?

Terms

This is another one that might seem innocuous on the surface but can potentially ruin anyone’s day; be sure to read the terms and conditions of your booking. A lot of third party companies, for example, offer discounts on rooms with the understanding that no refunds will be issued for last minute cancellations which can wind up being very expensive.

Location

This one is perhaps one of the most obvious and yet seldom considered aspects of booking a hotel. There are many hotels in highly condensed urban areas which can cost a fortune and be overbooked, yet many independent and smaller hotels that sit in a city’s outlying areas are available for a fraction of the cost while still remaining close enough to urban areas that travel is not an issue.

Quality Rating and Reviews

Any hotel’s website is going to showcase its best features, yet there are plenty of review sites and even reviews on that company’s website which will give potential travelers some indication of what to expect and the quality of the service provided.

Amenities

Most hotel pages are packed with the room’s features but if something is not listed on the site, it’s a good idea to ask. With travelers that have special needs, this is especially important and can make or break a hotel stay.

Extras

Things like breakfast, room service, shuttle service and the like can be important to potential guests. If these things matter, it’s a good idea to check the hotel’s site to make sure they’re included.

Comparison Shopping

While many travel sites claim that they offer the lowest possible price per night, many different sites will have different prices listed for the same room. Not only that, it’s usually cheaper to call the hotel directly as many times these hotels pay a commission when guests rent through a travel site, thus when a room is offered at 20% off, it usually comes out of that commission. Another benefit of calling the hotel directly is that many will be willing to negotiate on a room price and allow guests to avoid paying for amenities they have no use for– like wifi, for example.

Conclusion

Before booking your next trip, consider what it is you really need, what you can live without and just how long you plan to stay and give prospective hotels a call, most will be happy to accommodate you because it means a happy guest who will then go on to write a positive review and tell their friends about good service received, while at the same time saving you money. It’s a win-win for all parties involved.